<p>S1 said the portrait tattoo of his grandfather really hurt. It is an amazing copy of the photogragh S1 took in. I think the amt. of pain is related to which part of the body it goes on. His is on his side, just above his waist, the bottom his ribcage. He said it took four hours to get it done.<br>
He tells me that he plans to get one more when he graduates fr. the Navy school he is currently in. It is difficult beyond belief and it is tradition to get the unit’s symbol tattooed after completing the sch. He promised me that it too would be very high on his thigh so would only be seen when wearing short running shorts.</p>
<p>He also says guys in his field cannot wear wedding bands so most of the married guys get a black band tattoed on their left ring finger!</p>
<p>So as long as the tattoo can be hidden in professional settings or are really small, no biggie.</p>
<p>My youngest got one after she turned 18. She did not let me on it until about 3 mos later. She had talked and talked about one. I thought I had talked her out of it. </p>
<p>I did explain the discrimination she might be confronted with if she had one that “showed.” I had also mentioned that in the future I would NOT pay for a wedding dress that showed a tattoo. She did honor those requests when she got it. But let’s just say that it is not small :(.</p>
<p>my 20 year old got one on her shoulder when she turned 18- it is the adrinka symbol she was given after going to West africa her senior year.
[Adinkra</a> Symbols of West Africa](<a href=“http://www.adinkra.org/]Adinkra”>http://www.adinkra.org/)</p>
<p>She is also getting a tattoo connected with her trip to india- but I don’t think she has decided what yet.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t tell her where or what to have done to herself ( that is legal)</p>
<p>Haven’t decided what kind of tattoo to get yet for myself either.
H doesn’t like them, but I told him he doesn’t have to get one.</p>